FamilyLife Blended® Minute

Sharing Hard News

with | June 10, 2019
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Eventually, you'll have to tell your child something hard to hear. Tell them what's happening and how you feel about it. Then ask them how they feel. "Son, I'm sorry, but your best friend's parents are getting a divorce and you might not see David as much. I know this is hard. I'm sad for them and for you. Now, how are you feeling about this?" When we lead with our emotions it helps our kids uncover their emotions. And checking in repeatedly over time helps you lead them through the valley.

  • Show Notes

  • About the Host

  • About the Guest

  • Eventually, you'll have to tell your child something hard to hear. Tell them what's happening and how you feel about it. Then ask them how they feel. "Son, I'm sorry, but your best friend's parents are getting a divorce and you might not see David as much. I know this is hard. I'm sad for them and for you. Now, how are you feeling about this?" When we lead with our emotions it helps our kids uncover their emotions. And checking in repeatedly over time helps you lead them through the valley.

  • Ron Deal

    Ron L. Deal is one of the most widely read and viewed experts on blended families in the country. He is Director of FamilyLife Blended® for FamilyLife®, founder of Smart Stepfamilies™, and the author and Consulting Editor of the Smart Stepfamily Series of books including the bestselling Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages® and Becoming Stepfamily Smart (with Dr. Gary Chapman), The Smart Stepfamily: 7 Steps to a Healthy Family, and Preparing to Blend. Ron is a licensed marriage and family therapist, popular conference speaker, and host of the FamilyLife Blended podcast. He and his wife, Nan, have three sons and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. Learn more at FamilyLife.com/blended.

Ron, how do we tell our child some bad news?